The pulp is defined as the lignocellulosic fibrous material that is prepared by chemically or mechanically separating the cellulose fibres from wood or waste paper. There are various ways of manufacturing wood pulp; mechanical methods, chemical methods. Chemical pulping uses various chemicals to separate cellulose from lignin. The wood pulp thus created provides very high quality paper. The different types of chemical pulping methods are kraft, sulfite and semi-chemical pulping methods. The semi chemical wood pulping method is cooking the wood chips in solutions that are neutral. These solutions include sodium sulfite and sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate solutions. In addition to the chemical process, refining using mechanical process is also used to separate the fibres. Out of the total pulp produced using chemical method, over 5% constitutes of semi chemical methods. Moreover, the global semi chemical wood pulp market is expected to exhibit a moderate single digit growth in the forecast period.

Semi chemical Wood Pulp Market: Drivers and Restraints

The major factor that is expected to drive the global semi chemical wood pulp market is the cost factor. The cost of semi chemical wood pulp is lesser than the any other chemical process. Also, the competitive advantages over other methods include strength of strength of fibres, yield of pulp and quality. These factors are anticipated to drive the global semi chemical wood pulp market in the upcoming years.

One of the major factors affecting the growth of semi chemical wood pulp market is the stringent regulations pertaining to the harvesting of trees worldwide. Moreover, the regulations on the use of chemicals in various processes can be a major restraining factor for the growth of semi chemical wood pulp market.

The major players are highly focussed on introducing processes with high recovery of chemicals. This can lead to high industrial development in the global semi chemical pulp market. This can also reduce the price of production of semi chemical wood pulp and hence drive the global semi chemical wood pulp market in the near future. Also, the major players are entering into mergers and acquisitions to enhance their footprints in the global semi chemical wood pulp market.

The global semi chemical wood pulp market can be segmented based on the applications as

Tissue manufacture

Fine paper

Cartons

Magazines

Paperboard

Others

Semi chemical Wood Pulp Market: Region – wise outlook

The global semi chemical wood pulp market is segmented into seven key regions on the basis of geography as North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Japan. Asia Pacific holds the largest market share in the global semi chemical wood pulp market. India is one of the most promising country in terms of opportunities in the global semi chemical wood pulp market. North America and Europe is also expected to be the major regions in the global semi chemical wood pulp market. These regions are expected to expand at high rates in the forecast period. Moreover, Middle East and Africa is also expected to exhibit high growth rate in the global semi chemical wood pulp market in the forecast period. Japan is also expected to gain major share in the global semi chemical wood pulp market in the forecast period.